August 21, 2008
Posted: August 21st, 2008 02:45 PM ET
Sen. McCain campaigned in New Mexico Wednesday.
Sen. McCain campaigned in New Mexico Wednesday.

(CNN) – In a unanimous decision Thursday, the Federal Election Commission granted a request from John McCain’s campaign to withdraw from a program that provides presidential candidates with matching funds during the primary season.

The Democratic National Committee filed a complaint with the FEC earlier this year after the McCain campaign announced that it was withdrawing from the primary season matching funds program, in a bid to avoid spending restrictions that would have resulted if they participated. Democrats argued that the McCain camp could not legally opt out after obtaining a $4 million line of credit using the prospect of the public matching funds as collateral, and could not unilaterally withdraw without approval from the FEC, which did not have a voting quorum for much of the year. The party also called for an FEC investigation of McCain’s campaign finances.

The McCain campaign had said that the possibility of receiving public matching funds was not in reality the collateral for the line of credit that kept the Arizona senator’s campaign afloat.

The DNC has not yet said whether they will continue to press for a federal investigation.

Filed under: FEC • John McCain


Phil Newton Murphy, Oregon   August 21st, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Flip....flop...flip...flop...flip....flop...flip...flop....

Phil   August 21st, 2008 7:41 pm ET

JJ: Give it up , you mean don't trust your boy McSane.

Illinois 2   August 21st, 2008 7:37 pm ET

WHY NOT, AFTER ALL BARACK DID THE SAME THING OR HAS EVERYONE FORGOTTEN THAT??

Matt: honestly   August 21st, 2008 7:02 pm ET

ALL MCCAIN WANTS IS MORE WAR!!! HE HAS WHAT GEORGE CARLIN CALLED THE BIGGER YOU KNOW WHAT FOREIGN POLICY!

Matt: honestly   August 21st, 2008 7:01 pm ET

It is crazy how people who do not support Obama say his supporters are full of hate, yet they themselves spew hatred at every turn. STICK TO THE ISSUES, ENOUGH OF THE CELEBRITY, MY YOU KNOW WHAT IS BIGGER CRAP!

Erin in Edmonds WA   August 21st, 2008 6:57 pm ET

Now he is starting to flip flop on his criticisms. Obama did this, but I didn't, then I did. What a stupid fool. McCain, may lightening strike.

jimmy   August 21st, 2008 6:54 pm ET

IT AMAZES ME AND AM SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE ESP. THE VOTERS IN THE PRIMARIES WHO IN EVEN MORE AMAZING NUMBERS (18 MILLION FOR HILLARY ALONE) VOTED TO LET THEIR VOICES HEARD. NOW THESE PANELISTS ON THE MAJOR NETWORKS, CNN INCLUDED SEEM TO HAVE IGNORED THE VOTERS IN THEIR
(EXPERT ? ) ANALYSES ON WHO IS BEST TO HELP OBAMA WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. OBAMA'S SAGGING POLL NUMBERS ONLY SHOWS HIS NEED FOR THE VOTES OF THE PRIMARY VOTERS IN HILLARY'S CORNER. CNN'S PANEL TALKED ALOT OF JOE BIDEN . YET FAILED TO MENTION THAT BIDEN WAS FAR FROM EVERYBODY ELSE IN GETTING THE VOTES OR THE MONEY HE NEEDED TO BE A SERIOUS CONTENDER.
THERE SEEM TO BE A LACK OF SMARTS ON THE PART OF THE PANELISTS. OR IS IT JUST BIAS?

K of TX   August 21st, 2008 6:52 pm ET

Oh, what a revelation!!!

Wait....the media won't give it more than a glance because they're afraid the election will slip out of their control and Obama will be elected in a landslide.

Which means NO MORE SKY-HIGH RATINGS!

i'M LITERALLY GETTING SICK WATCHING HOW BIASED THE MEDIA IS IN FAVOR OF McCAIN RIGHT NOW.

jt   August 21st, 2008 6:50 pm ET

mccain is 72 years, the oldest President if elected...scary

Itoldyouso   August 21st, 2008 6:48 pm ET

Just another Repugnant crook.

McCain has no original thought in his head.   August 21st, 2008 6:48 pm ET

WHAT A CROOKED MAN.
CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE,
LIE ABOUT IT FOR YEARS,
LEAVE A FAITHFUL WIFE FOR POLITICAL REASONS.
CHEAT AMERICA AS WELL.
YES YOU'RE THE MARVERICK.
JOHN McCAIN IS NOT A TRUE REPUBLICAN.

SONGBIRD MCCAIN   August 21st, 2008 6:46 pm ET

TRAITOR —– OUT-OF-TOUCH —– PTSD —– EMPTY SUIT —– BAD TEMPER —– WAR MONGER —– WIKIPEDIA —– DRAFT —– $500 SHOES —– HOW MANY HOUSES DO I OWN? —– $5 MILLION —– KEATING 5 —– 50+ LOBBYISTS ON HIS STAFF —– NO OFFSHORE DRILLING + PAYOFF = FLIP = YES TO DRILLING =FLOP —– SONGBIRD (GOOGLE IT!) —– ENDORSED BY THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER —– 95% VOTING RECORD W/BUSH (MAVERICK?!?!) —– CHEATED ON SICK WIFE —– ADMITTED HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ECONOMICS —– OLDER THAN ZIP CODES, PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY SANDWICHES, AUTOMATIC CAR TRANSMISSIONS, FM RADIO AND ALF! -– CROSS IN THE SAND LIAR -- WON'T CUT TAXES FOR THOSE MAKING LESS
THAN $250K AS MUCH AS OBAMA (JUST THE FACTS, MA'AM)!

AND THAT'S JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD!

::::::::::::::::::::::INDEPENDENT VOTING OBAMA;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Michael   August 21st, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Come on CNN. Cover the interesting story. McWar wants to bring back the military draft. He already knows young people are not on board to volunteer for his stupid and unneccessary wars so he needs the Draft to conscript his cannon fodder. Break out your 60's Vietnam War 33 rpm albums so McBomb can remember the Glory days. Come on, everybody sing, 1 2 3 What are we fighting for. Lets go to war again, for the glory of mcCain...

Ted:Canada   August 21st, 2008 6:41 pm ET

He is being bought out by BIG business

After seeing CNN's – McCain Revealed…

Quiet frankly my friends he should be charged with corruption. Only in America can a "low life" politician like this run for president.

Where is your pride and dignity America???

Also McCain has no real loyalty!! He would not only switch parties in order to win but would likely sell off his wife to the highest bitter – about 150 million – that will do it!!!

As well – with his uncontrollable temper…to make him president is like committing suicide.He needs psychological help – fast!

shannon   August 21st, 2008 6:39 pm ET

"off the hook"?

that implies that he did something wrong....nice unbiased coverage.

Blowing in the Wind   August 21st, 2008 6:37 pm ET

Hypocrite elitist

anonymous   August 21st, 2008 6:36 pm ET

Democrats are so gullable. You have no clue what is going on. Be an individual and see the light. These political figures aren't going to do one thing for you EXCEPT let you down and then you will say oh it is George Bush fault. You will always point the finger at someone.

Fred C Dobbs   August 21st, 2008 6:36 pm ET

What is the problem with CNN at finding real news stories?

Let Clinton go, no matter what trash you throw up, I and other Hillary Clinton supporters will not be voting for Barack Obama!

Obama supporters still banging on the Clinton's – wise up, it makes it that much easier to vote for John McCain.

Craig   August 21st, 2008 6:36 pm ET

The Republicans went insane when Obama did that. But Flipper McFlop is an old man . I guess we must make allowances when he waffles on his commitments.

Ardnuas   August 21st, 2008 6:34 pm ET

"'Exxon John" is WORSE than Cheney.....the FEC let him off the hook because of some backroom deals that we made... this is WHY he owns 7 houses. McSame = big oil ( one hand washes the other)

GP   August 21st, 2008 6:32 pm ET

McCain and the RNC operate under a set of rules that states:

Up is Down
Black is White
Left is Right
Right is Left
I'm Right and You're Wrong
Negative is Positive

PG   August 21st, 2008 6:29 pm ET

What comes to mind when sees Panamanian McCain?

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (unresolved).

People this fraud, McCain, is dangerous, very dangerous for America!

Jeff D, South Bend, IN   August 21st, 2008 6:26 pm ET

Just another corrupt decision by a corrupt Bush-appointed commission for a corrupt, senile, inept Senator who can't remember the price of milk or how many million dollar homes he owns.

No wonder his campaigns hides him from the media and doesn't ket them talk directly to McCain – this is what happens. He is an utter and complete disaster EVERY TIME HE OPENS HIS MOUTH.

We've had 8 years of an idiot leading th country. How much is enough?

jimmy   August 21st, 2008 6:25 pm ET

MCCAIN'S VP PICK IS GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE.
AND SENATOR LIEBERMAN IS NOT THE ONE TO HELP HIM WIN.
AFTER THE REV WARREN CIVIL FORUM IN CALIFORNIA. MCCAIN S
SCORED A STUNNING VICTORY OVER OBAMA WHO STUMBLED AND MUMBLED HIS WAY TO DEFEAT.
OBAMA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE WILL SOON SEE EITHER TODAY IN PRIME TIME OR TOMORROW AT THE LATEST.
A WRONG CHOICE BY OBAMA AND HE CAN SAY GOODBYE TO PARTY UNITY AT THE DEMS CONVENTIONS....IT WILL BE CHAOS
AND DEMONSTRATIONS NONSTOP IF HILLARY IS NOT THE VP CHOICE.

The Numbers Game   August 21st, 2008 6:12 pm ET

Instead of McCain's fascination with the ONE, he should be fascinated with NINE, which is how many houses he has, and SIX HUNDRED, which is how much he paid for his shoes.

More numbers, okay. How about ONE affair you were having while still married, and TWO women you called honey at the same time, and THREE kids you left your first wife with, and FOUR men who were charged along with you in the Keating FIVE. Back to SIX, the price of your shoes, and SEVEN kids you eventually ended up with not counting the THREE you left your first wife with. EIGHT as in 2008, the year you will lose the presidency, and finally back to NINE homes that you own, in which you couldn't remember because of the oncoming senility that you will surely experience soon.

Okay, are we done with numbers, you big phony.

The Nightingale Sings in Berkley Square   August 21st, 2008 6:11 pm ET

I fully support John McCain even if the risky one selects Hillary for a running mate. I hope he doesn't. I would be torn but still vote for McCain. He is a safe choice and will protect our values and our country. Obama will tax us and create a new welfare queen society.

BTW I can't stand Harry Reid from Nevada," I flatly told my hometown paper, the Journal in comments Thursday.

I cannot now nor will never stand this back biting senator, Mr. Reid. The only one worse is Obama. Obama is risky and Reid doesn't understand heartland of the Mid West issues. He is stuck in a state of "legal prostitution, gambling and abortions." Yes that is what Harry Reid is all about in his state of Nevada or should we say sinstate.

Remember Reid is a do nothing senator, and 'bama is a risky choice;. Both should be defeated because they gamble with our values and our country's security.

PETER IGNAGNI   August 21st, 2008 6:09 pm ET

HEY JOHN...WON'T YOU HELP HILLARY ELIMINATE HER 23,000,000.00 DOLLAR DEBT....HER SUPPORTERS HAVE NO INTENTION OF HELPING HER DO IT...THEY'LL SUPPORT HER TO THE ' GATES OF HELL ' AS LONG AS SHE DOESN'T NEED/ OR EXPECT THEIR MONEY TO GET THERE.....HOW PITIFUL THEY ALL ARE !!! ..... PETER IGNAGNI

One Is A Lonely Number   August 21st, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Instead of McCain's fascination with the ONE, he should be fascinated with NINE, which is how many houses he has, and SIX HUNDRED, which is how much he paid for his shoes.

More numbers, okay. How about ONE affair you were having while still married, and TWO women you called honey at the same time, and THREE kids you left your first wife with, and FOUR men who were charged along with you in the Keating FIVE. Back to SIX, the price of your shoes, and SEVEN kids you eventually ended up with not counting the THREE you left your first wife with. EIGHT as in 2008, the year you will lose the presidency, and finally back to NINE homes that you own, in which you couldn't remember because of the oncoming senility that you will surely experience soon.

Obama 08

JIM...TX   August 21st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

Cheating AGAIN are we??? I'm appalled :)

PURPOSE DRIVEN LIES   August 21st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

"Blasphemy is the disrespectful use of the name of one's God to ridicule or make fun of by jokingly or otherwise referencing that which is sacred"

When asked about evil, McCain and the evangelical Christians at Saddleback look outward and forget that evil is in their thoughts, their hearts, their arrogance, their pride, their "holier than thou attitudes".

Did it ever occur to them that evil gathers in their churches every Sunday morning? Mascquarades as presidential candidates? That they hold hands with murderers, child molestors, fornicators, bigots, liars and thieves both in the congregation and the pulpits and congratulate each other on how great and holy you are?

America's evangelicals project what is ugly about humanity by professing one thing and living the exact opposite. Obama's answer's during the forum reflected a truly christian view. He challenged them to look within for what is wrong with the world today. HOW DARE HE??

Independent-Latina-for-OBAMA   August 21st, 2008 6:07 pm ET

OH.............WAIT............WASN'T THIS THE ISSUE THE MCCAIN-ATTACK-HATE-MACHINE............ATTACKED OBAMA ABOUT???????

WELL..............WHO IS ...........FLIP........FLOPPING..........AGAIN???????

THE RNC WAS $10 MILLION SHORT FOR THEIR CONVENTION!

I GUESS BUSH/CHENEY'S DESTRUCTION IS HURTING THEM ALL!

Carol   August 21st, 2008 6:05 pm ET

So, where are all the Republicans screaming "flip flop" and all the other complaints McCain blasted Obama with he chose not to take matching funds?

Self rightous, phony hypocrite!

Arkansas Undertaker   August 21st, 2008 6:04 pm ET

If it had been the Obama campaign they would have never let him of the hook. They would have tried to make a big issue out of it. They would have tried to take Obama down.

Obama/Clinton 2008

New Day   August 21st, 2008 6:02 pm ET

Hypocrite! Because he changed his mind on matching funds? No, because he blasts Obama for having done the same thing. Is going to apologize to Obama for this?

Octogenarian   August 21st, 2008 6:00 pm ET

Why does McSane get to say whatever and noone talks about it? Is is because of his age?

P.U. MA   August 21st, 2008 5:59 pm ET

Mike-Texas....hahahahahahahahahaha!!!! OMG, and how many US Senators Congressmen and top Republicans have opted out of the GOP convention? How many Republicans have opted for a good round of golf or a spa treatment or a good day on the sofa than go watch Bush Chaney and McCain try to destroy this Country further? the list is countless, he!! even the head liners the Beach Boys (excuse my while i fall on the floor laughing) can not draw the GOP to rally behind their "candidate"..you poor poor soul, Mike you probably voted for Bush...twice, right?
other story

Brian   August 21st, 2008 5:59 pm ET

McCain is no stranger to bilking the financial system and the American public... see the Keating Five / Savings & Loan scandal.

America... make sure this rich, crooked elitist doesn't make the White House his EIGHTH house this November!

aliou FL   August 21st, 2008 5:59 pm ET

Right boat man: Crooked talk expresss flip/flop

SONGBIRD MCCAIN   August 21st, 2008 5:58 pm ET

TRAITOR —– OUT-OF-TOUCH —– PTSD —–

EMPTY SUIT —– BAD TEMPER —– WAR MONGER —–

WIKIPEDIA —– DRAFT —– $500 SHOES —– HOW MANY HOUSES

DO I OWN? —– $5 MILLION —– KEATING 5 —– 50+ LOBBYISTS ON

HIS STAFF —– NO OFFSHORE DRILLING + PAYOFF = FLIP = YES

TO DRILLING =FLOP —– SONGBIRD (GOOGLE IT!) —– ENDORSED

BY THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER —– 95% VOTING RECORD

W/BUSH (MAVERICK?!?!) —– CHEATED ON SICK WIFE —–

ADMITTED HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ECONOMICS —–

OLDER THAN ZIP CODES, PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY

SANDWICHES, AUTOMATIC CAR TRANSMISSIONS, FM RADIO AND

ALF! -– WON'T CUT TAXES FOR THOSE MAKING LESS THAN

$250K AS MUCH AS OBAMA WILL (JUST THE FACTS, MA'AM)!

AND THAT'S JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD!

::::::::::::::::::::::INDEPENDENT VOTING OBAMA;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Vincent Spaulding   August 21st, 2008 5:58 pm ET

The "maverick" part of McCain's persona is his utter disregard and contempt for rules. It's been a feature of his entire life, but it keeps him in good standing with the republican party. Above all, this characteristic represents continuity in the White House, and that's just what they want for a governmental takeover. A vote for the less than nimble minded McCain is a vote against the rule of law and morality.

P.U. MA   August 21st, 2008 5:56 pm ET

poor john

Linda of Atlanta   August 21st, 2008 5:55 pm ET

McCain, why don't you authorize the military to release all 637 pages of your military service as opposed to the 16 pages you released? CNN, if you want to report papers being hidden, why don't you question why we can't see the military records of a man who claims to be a military expert? Wolf Blitzer in on the block for the McCain campaign and CNN is fast becoming just another Fox News.

Peter E   August 21st, 2008 5:54 pm ET

The system is broken. Obama has every right to criticize the old system and speak against the rules because he's an outsider! What's that? The rules now work in favor of Obama and against his opponent? Quick, let's now plaster boards with 'rules are rules' posts!
So much for Obama being outside the broken system...

Emilio   August 21st, 2008 5:52 pm ET

I concur with S. Boatman and would like to add that the American people are smart enough to see through this wannabe hypocrit the right-wing fascists are doing their best to foist upon us.

Joseph   August 21st, 2008 5:48 pm ET

So we can lie on loan applications and NO ONE post this on their headlines. You guys are slanted! McCain said he would reinstate the military draft, lied on the loan application, can't remember how many houses he has, filp flop on everything from taxes, women's rights, oil drilling. He's been in corrupt scandles like SNL the Keaton 5 and according to him we won the Iraq war back in 2003 but none of you are reporting this. You guys drilled Obama for a month for something a pastor at his church said and for someone he knows commited a felony none of which has anything to do with him. If Obama did any of those things McCain has done it would leave your front page until Nov 1 at 11:59pm to make sure you've brainwashed enough people that he would lose by 50 states. This is sad because everyone knows this but you still do it.

SENIOR FOR AMERICA   August 21st, 2008 5:46 pm ET

THE SYSTEM IS CROOKED AND CONTROLLED BY THE RIGHT WINGED REPUBLICANS

Rose   August 21st, 2008 5:46 pm ET

At least McCain went through the proper channels, Obama is the one that flip-flopped and simply said he changed his mind. I guess that is the kind of change we can't believe in.

CRob   August 21st, 2008 5:45 pm ET

So the DNC is complaing about the same thing they did months ago???

Terry, Lakeland Florida   August 21st, 2008 5:45 pm ET

oh and lets talk about the K5 scandal. I'd post it there but CNN tends to close comments when they feel like it....which is normally within seconds. McCain was only included in the K5 because the left wing Dems wanted to include a non-dem. It should have been the K4 (All Dems) McCain was clear of all wrong doing and it's a well documented fact that he should never have been included in that scandal. How about you guys do some research, it only took me around 5 minutes to dig up all the facts…you should try fact finding sometimes.

Susan   August 21st, 2008 5:45 pm ET

One again, a Republican is off the hook!

Terry, Lakeland Florida   August 21st, 2008 5:43 pm ET

Hey you cannot call this a flop without admiting that your Lord Obama did the same thing because he did.

California Gold   August 21st, 2008 5:42 pm ET

I don't like how this guy plays word games with money.

PhilT   August 21st, 2008 5:38 pm ET

Ladies and Gentlemen, the fix is in.

The administration is doing all it can to minimize Sen. Obama's influence on world affairs.

The Iraq troop withdrawal agreement will be signed before this election is decided.

The missile defense system agreement with Poland is a clear indication that the Bush/Cheney is willing to provoke a "crisis" with Russian to enhance the "need" for a self-proclaimed "foreign affairs expert" such as Sen. McCain who "knows how to win wars" .

My fear is he will do that with a draft, this time taking male and female. The only ones who get out are those children of the power elite or medical deferments (e.g. Bush and Cheney).

Will McCain be our next president? You figure it out.

Phil

Allen in Hartwell GA   August 21st, 2008 5:33 pm ET

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
First of all, this smacks of illegality, but since this is politics maybe that doesn't matter. Secondly and most important, where are the news hounds? When Obama opted out of public funds you'd the GOP made so much fuss you'd have thought Obama had broken all the commandments, instead of just the first ten.

anonymous   August 21st, 2008 5:30 pm ET

S. Boatman – you're pathetic.

Greg FL.   August 21st, 2008 5:30 pm ET

After all the talk about Obama not taking matching funds he opts out too. I'm sure his excuse will be Obama did it, so I had to.

McGaffe   August 21st, 2008 5:30 pm ET

flip flop...another deception by the Bush clone...oh boy has Rove and Chaney trained their poodle well...whats next? more of the McCain LIES...it is so sad that all you McCain kool aid drinkers have your heads still in the sand...you thought Bush did a job well wait until Mccain DRAFTS your sons and Daughters...FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP......

Listen Up...   August 21st, 2008 5:29 pm ET

As expected. AS IF he were just relying on those funds anyway! Obama was super smart to opt out. I can't stand McCain!

NObama 2008   August 21st, 2008 5:29 pm ET

Maybe they should investigate Obama's flip flop on this issue. Obama is as phony as a 3 dollar bill.

Peter (CA)   August 21st, 2008 5:28 pm ET

Somehow I am sure the right wingers will come up with some lame excuse as to why this is OK but Obama not wanting federal funding is a bad thing.

Jimmy Morton   August 21st, 2008 5:27 pm ET

That's quite underhanded. McCain used those funds to resuscitate his dying campaign in the primaries and lead it to an undeserved victory, and now that he's the presidential candidate, he's been absolved of the limitations that came with resorting to those funds in the first place! So much for a fair election. This is collusion.

Disappointed in Mr. "Straight Talk"   August 21st, 2008 5:26 pm ET

No straight talk in this man. If he hadn't "used" public funding – his campaign would have been over a long time ago. Why does cheating always seem to pay off for the Republicans?

Cynthia   August 21st, 2008 5:25 pm ET

The Straight Talk Express appears to still be in the ditch spinning its wheels trying to get out.

What Senator McCain needs to do is go in and do the voice overs for bedtime stories for children – he certainly puts me to sleep.

Tyler in Raleigh   August 21st, 2008 5:24 pm ET

McCain continuing the Bush approach of lies and false promises. Now Bush's appointees pay him forward with this judgment so they can keep their jobs and power when he follows the rest of the Bush traditions.

Gene, OH   August 21st, 2008 5:22 pm ET

What else is new, rules are being bent for the wealthy party. Because the GOP just can't stand having less money than the Obama Campaign. Two Americas people, let's face it.

Gene   August 21st, 2008 5:21 pm ET

What else is new, rules are being bent for the wealthy party. Because the GOP just can't stand having less money than the Obama. Two Americas people, let's face it.

aliou FL   August 21st, 2008 5:20 pm ET

McCain can't seam to stick to anything he says or does. He can't stand by anyone except himself. It's all about McSame

Obamalism   August 21st, 2008 5:15 pm ET

S.Boatman – I think you're confused on who's flipping and pandering.
No one talks out both sides of their mouth better than Obama.

kendall   August 21st, 2008 5:14 pm ET

McCain has insiders working for him, people from the FEC, CIA, White House, he's a Washington insider, and if you think that insiders don't need a draft to dedeat terrorism your sadly mistaken.

McCain is politics of the past and for the average American that means we will live 1920 all over again, that the policy he want to pursue,

Rich getting richer, poor gets poorer, and the poor makes up the military,

Obamalism   August 21st, 2008 5:14 pm ET

In a unanimous decision...

Yet another democratic investigation that did nothing but waste their time and our money.

eric b   August 21st, 2008 5:14 pm ET

How can you be 72 years old and still a childish juvenile?

Remember the 'Chelsea is ugly' joke?

He's not presidential, he is a sophomoric moron.

If it wasn't for his 'rich daddy' and his 'rich wife' he would be a total failure!

Why do republicans keep sending us these silver spooned boys?

Biffington, Biff   August 21st, 2008 5:14 pm ET

amazing. simply astounding.

rules? what rules.....?

(four more years, guys)......

Lacy   August 21st, 2008 5:13 pm ET

Is this related to the public financing thing that McCain was so found of criticizing Obam for? Now he flipping and following suit?

What's next, McCain is gonna flip and follow Obama/Bush (can't believe it) on a timeline for withdrawl from Iraq?

steve   August 21st, 2008 5:13 pm ET

well in this case he's taking a page straight from nobama's book, who called for complete public financing back when everyone knew he was a lark, before the whole coronation thing began. then as soon as enough white people were scared of being called racist if they didn't support him, suddenly he was a celebrity and decided to flipflop out of public financing to dodge spending limits

Shady   August 21st, 2008 5:10 pm ET

Wow, shady pos republicans, what else is new...

Mark   August 21st, 2008 5:10 pm ET

Thank-God for Mr. McCain!!! Keep fighing for us and send that slug Obama home!!

Cupper   August 21st, 2008 5:09 pm ET

With the newest appointments to the FEC, the regulatory body is being put back together to exclude a Republican commissioner who took a critical stance toward McCain's manipulation of public financing.

In one move, the White House ended McCain's accountability for his use or abuse of the primary public financing system while putting him in position to take money for the general.

The Commissioner who acted to enforce the law, to just raise an important question of enforcement, has been stripped of his post. A raw power play, done in the interest of McCain to have the FEC, back in business minus Mason, and to arrange for his money for the fall campaign.

Bravo Bush. Bravo.

Gosh I wish reporters did their jobs.

-Scupper

Stacy Clarks, TX   August 21st, 2008 5:09 pm ET

WHY IS EVERYONE LETTING MCCAIN GET AWAY WITH EVERYTHING!!! BUT IF IT WAS OBAMA, THEY WOULD JUMP ON HIM!!!

WHAT HAPPENED TO FAIRNESS IN AMERICA?!?!?!?!?

MLH   August 21st, 2008 5:04 pm ET

Wow. More questionable practices to add to the list. I hope the DNC pushes this one all the way to the wall. So what does the McCain campaign say really was the collateral for the line of credit? Was it his houses?

Delay man   August 21st, 2008 5:03 pm ET

Why Didn’t McCain Call Ralph Reed To Testify During Abramoff Investigation?

Raymond Duke   August 21st, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Darn Obama : you cannot get him eliminated before the voting takes place like you did for the Illnios senate. You might have to actually run against someone. Maybe they ought to investigate all these overseas donations that you are getting that cannot be tracked. I hear your campagin is handing out money in phildephia for votes. I guess you do need a lot of money. By the way Cnn I love the article about McCains ad on Obama the one. You take all the Obama bloggers and delete the supporters of McCain. Of course that is standard for certain writers for Cnn. Can you say in the Tank.

onlinesavant   August 21st, 2008 5:00 pm ET

And it's patently ILLEGAL for a candidate to accept mathching funds and then use private money in the window with which he/she is suppossed to use public funds. No If and's or But's about it. It is illegal. McSame should either be fined heavily, or go to jail . And why isn't Blitzer talking about this ad nauseum on the "Situation Room"?!

Senator AWOL McCain rarely votes but collects salary and social security   August 21st, 2008 5:00 pm ET

Who loaned him the money? Charles Keating and Lincoln Savings?

Couldn't he just borrow the money from Cindy Stepford?

theflyonthewall   August 21st, 2008 4:59 pm ET

Riiiiiiight, after Obama did it first... so of course the DNC and the Obamatons want to hold the opposition candidate to the agreement that The Chosen One already backed out of....

Mike, Syracuse, NY   August 21st, 2008 4:58 pm ET

Obama, there you go again. You 'won' your first election by playing games with the rules. You won your nomination the same way. Now you tried it with McCain and failed. You and Howard Dean, two yahoos cut from the same cloth.

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX   August 21st, 2008 4:58 pm ET

Great decision making, McCain. Useful and decisive...but kinda late don't ya think? Where is that 3:00 AM phone call "intelligence" you keep telling us you have?

Heck, you've been asleep during your campaign financing for the last six months. How are EVER gonna run a nation?

BTW: Your turn to get the rocks throw at you that you threw at Obama when he opted out. HYPOCRITE!

PolitcoMike   August 21st, 2008 4:56 pm ET

McScam!

Spencer   August 21st, 2008 4:56 pm ET

I 100% agree with you Boatman.

People make no sense   August 21st, 2008 4:56 pm ET

McWar needs to explain how he was dumb enough to get caught early in his military career, and spent a long war not fighting but being held captive. Wow what a hero. No guns blazing – shoot your way out of anything – defend America. Just tortured spilling your guts against America. Through diplomatic means, and his father power he was allowed to live. It's laughable that people consider him a hero and strong on war. He spent his time in captivity during war. Is that what he plans to teach us? He was flying a plane he was too dumb to know how to fly and got shot down. Maybe if he wasn't a C student he would have been able to learn the technics to manuever out of position and not get shot down. My grandfather flew endless hours fighting in the same war and he came back a *Real American Hero*.

Veterans for Obama and Ex-Republicans for Obama!   August 21st, 2008 4:54 pm ET

TYPICAL

LYNETTE IN CA   August 21st, 2008 4:53 pm ET

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!! THIS GUY THAT CAN'T REMEMBER HE HAS 4+ HOUSES AND THAT $5,000,000 MIGHT BE CONSIDERED RICH!!!

THERE'S SOMETHING HERE THAT EERILY STINKS OF BUSHONOMICS!!!

OBAMA '08

IAMWMD   August 21st, 2008 4:53 pm ET

Another law told.....Another law broken by the Repugs...

DB   August 21st, 2008 4:52 pm ET

I guess he used one of his 7 houses as collateral.

Allen in Hartwell GA   August 21st, 2008 4:51 pm ET

First of all, this smacks of illegality, but since this is politics maybe that doesn't matter. Secondly and most important, where are the news hounds? When Obama opted out of public funds you'd the GOP made so much fuss you'd have thought Obama had broken all the commandments, instead of just the first ten.

linda from South Dakota   August 21st, 2008 4:51 pm ET

i think an investigation on mccain should happen all the way around,,,,, a good way to check and see if all he does and says is legal,,,, since he was still married when he bought a marriage leisence to marry cindy before he was legally divorced from carol,, umm once a liar ,, always a liar,,,, not to say he has a quick temper,, ummmm we dont really need someone like this in politics,,, his smile is sooo fake too,, is there anything real about this person??? ummmm

hillybilly   August 21st, 2008 4:50 pm ET

yes.this should be investigated by the feds.we need to know if mccain's keeping his camp.legal.

NotFallingInLine.org   August 21st, 2008 4:50 pm ET

When you make the rules (McCain), you will be the first to break them.

Griff   August 21st, 2008 4:49 pm ET

DNC? Now what does that stand for? Democratic National Cheat's.
Florida???? Michigan????

Ex-Republican for Obama   August 21st, 2008 4:49 pm ET

I thought Johnny gave Obama some ridicule for opting out of the funding? What's with the change of heart Johnny? You sure are a man of principals Johnny, NOT!

Just ask your ex-wife and abandoned kids about your moral convictions, I think they will have a better picture of who you really are then anyone.

jj   August 21st, 2008 4:48 pm ET

as usual, Obama and his team look for any underhanded way they can to get elected. Just like he did to get elected to the Senate which he hasn't done since he was elected. When you find a loophole to screw other party members to get ahead, them you'll trash anyone anyway to do it. DO NOT TRUST HIM>

Abby   August 21st, 2008 4:47 pm ET

While he technically got away with it, this was not in the spirit of honesty and maverick’ity . lol same OLD dishonest politics.

Barbara - NC   August 21st, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Maybe the National Enquirer will research some of this stuff – CNN can't afford investigative reports.

Peter of Oregon   August 21st, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Lol... after McCain's tyrade about Obama not receiving government money he's doing this... what a hypocrite, and I'm not surprised. I'm anxious to see the real McCain Revealed... as we progress toward November.

Barbara - NC   August 21st, 2008 4:44 pm ET

I think anything McCain does should be investigated. He's from a long line of crooked politicians in AZ that helped "strong-arm" him into politics (along with Botox Barbie's money from her mafia-related papa). Check it out – google Cindy Hensley family

S. Boatman   August 21st, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Another Flip After The Flop, . . . With Some Pandering And Lies. . . Just More Of The Same From The Crooked Talk Express!

Former Republicans for Obama   August 21st, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Sounds like the straight talk express lied on his credit application!!!! Just like he made up the cross story. Well. I take that back. He didn't make it up, hi stole it from a book he read.

Chris from NY   August 21st, 2008 4:39 pm ET

It doesn't matter what he does. He can even borrow or get a loan. Who cares. He's going down hard.

Sacto Joe   August 21st, 2008 4:38 pm ET

You can't believe ANYTHING McCain says!

Andy   August 21st, 2008 4:36 pm ET

hehe... Showtime.

KenB, MI   August 21st, 2008 4:36 pm ET

anyone surprised?

Sherry, Atlanta   August 21st, 2008 4:35 pm ET

IS THIS NOT THE SAME THING, THAT MCCAIN COMPLAINED ABOUT THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN?

INTERESTING, HOW WE TALK 'OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THE MOUTH'! ! !

TheTruthHurts   August 21st, 2008 4:33 pm ET

The FEC wants NO part of this. They want to get out of the way. Probably a good idea. Both sides will have plenty of money to get the message out. If they need more money to get the people with their heads in the sand, we're doomed as a country anyway.

Brian   August 21st, 2008 4:33 pm ET

McCain owns 7 houses….. he wants the people of this nation to give him Number 8 at tax payer cost!

McCain also is going to use Tax Payer money to convince Tax Payers to put him in his 8th house which is paid for by Tax Payers!

Just say NO to giving McCain an 8th home!

proud army and navy mom   August 21st, 2008 4:31 pm ET

well the criminals covers for the criminal yet again.

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